Image forming apparatus and toner clogging detection program

Abstract

To detect a sign of toner clogging in a waste toner recovery path.SOLUTION: An image forming apparatus 10 comprises: a waste toner recovery path that recovers waste toner; a motor 300 that is provided in the waste toner recovery path to drive a conveying member; and a CPU 201. The CPU 201 acquires interphase voltage that is at least one voltage between the same phases of the motor 300, and detects a sign of toner clogging in the waste toner recovery path on the basis of a variation in the interphase voltage.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus and a toner clogging detection program. [Background technology]

[0002] For example, Patent Document 1 describes a waste toner transport device that transports waste toner remaining on an image carrier to a waste toner storage unit by providing a rotary transport member for transporting toner inside a pipe and rotating the rotary transport member with a drive means. This waste toner transport device has a control means that compares the drive current value of the rotation drive source of the drive means with a predetermined drive current value and determines that the waste toner pipe is clogged when the predetermined drive current value is exceeded. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2000-066556 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In an image forming apparatus, a transport member in a waste toner recovery passage is driven by a motor to transport the waste toner. As a means for detecting toner clogging in the waste toner recovery passage, for example, there is a technique for detecting toner clogging by monitoring the drive current of a DC motor as a drive source.

[0005] However, even if the occurrence of toner clogging can be detected, the precursor to the toner clogging cannot be detected.

[0006] An object of the present disclosure is to provide an image forming apparatus and a toner clogging detection program that are capable of detecting a precursor to a toner clogging in a waste toner recovery path. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, an image forming apparatus according to a first aspect includes a waste toner recovery path for recovering waste toner, a motor for driving a conveying member provided in the waste toner recovery path, and a processor, wherein the processor acquires a phase-to-phase voltage, which is a voltage between at least one common phase of the motor, and detects signs of toner clogging in the waste toner recovery path based on fluctuations in the phase-to-phase voltage.

[0008] In addition, in an image forming apparatus according to a second aspect, in the image forming apparatus according to the second aspect, the processor acquires the phase-to-phase voltage at a zero-cross timing, which is the timing when the current between the same phases becomes zero when the motor is driven.

[0009] In addition, in a third aspect, in the image forming apparatus of the second aspect, when the phase-to-phase voltage repeatedly acquired at the zero-cross timing is within a predetermined range for a predetermined number of consecutive times, the processor determines that this is a precursor to a toner blockage.

[0010] In addition, in an image forming apparatus according to a fourth aspect, in the image forming apparatus according to the second aspect, the processor determines that a toner clogging has occurred when the phase-to-phase voltage acquired at the zero-cross timing is equal to or less than a first threshold value, determines that the toner clogging is a precursor to the toner clogging when the phase-to-phase voltage is greater than the first threshold value and equal to or less than a second threshold value, and determines that the image forming apparatus is in a steady state when the phase-to-phase voltage is greater than the second threshold value and equal to or less than a third threshold value.

[0011] In addition, in the image forming apparatus according to a fifth aspect, in the image forming apparatus according to the fourth aspect, when the processor determines that a toner jam has occurred, the image forming apparatus stops operation of the image forming apparatus.

[0012] In addition, in the image forming apparatus according to a sixth aspect, in the image forming apparatus according to the fourth aspect, when the processor determines that there is a sign of a toner clogging, a notification is given that there is a sign of a toner clogging.

[0013] In addition, in an image forming apparatus according to a seventh aspect, in the image forming apparatus according to the sixth aspect, the processor displays the notification on a screen of the image forming apparatus, and the notification includes a message prompting contact with a maintenance service representative.

[0014] In addition, in an image forming apparatus according to an eighth aspect, in the image forming apparatus according to the sixth aspect, the processor transmits the notification to an external server device, and the server device transmits a message to a maintenance service technician prompting them to take action.

[0015] An image forming apparatus according to a ninth aspect is the image forming apparatus according to the first aspect, wherein the motor is a stepping motor.

[0016] Furthermore, in order to achieve the above-mentioned object, a toner clogging detection program according to a tenth aspect is a toner clogging detection program for an image forming device equipped with a waste toner recovery path for recovering waste toner, and a motor for driving a conveying member provided in the waste toner recovery path, which acquires a phase-to-phase voltage, which is a voltage between at least one common phase of the motor, and causes a computer to execute a process of detecting signs of a toner clogging in the waste toner recovery path based on fluctuations in the phase-to-phase voltage. Effect of the Invention

[0017] According to the first and tenth aspects, there is an effect that a sign of toner clogging in the waste toner recovery path can be detected.

[0018] According to the second aspect, there is an effect that the phase-to-phase voltage can be acquired with higher accuracy compared to the case where the phase-to-phase voltage is acquired at a timing other than the zero-cross timing.

[0019] According to the third aspect, there is an advantage that the presence or absence of a toner clogging symptom can be determined more accurately than in the case where the inter-phase voltage is determined only once.

[0020] According to the fourth aspect, there is an effect that a sign of toner clogging can be determined with high accuracy, compared to a case where determination is made using only one threshold value.

[0021] According to the fifth aspect, there is an effect that it is possible to prevent a malfunction that may occur due to the occurrence of toner clogging.

[0022] According to the sixth aspect, there is an effect that it is possible to notify a precursor of toner clogging.

[0023] According to the seventh aspect, it is possible to notify a user of the device of the occurrence of a toner clogging, and to encourage the user to contact a maintenance service representative.

[0024] According to the eighth aspect, it is possible to notify a maintenance service person of a warning sign of a toner clogging via the server device, and to urge the person to take action.

[0025] According to the ninth aspect, when the motor that drives the conveying member is a stepping motor, it is possible to detect a sign of toner clogging in the waste toner recovery path. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0026] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 illustrates an example of a configuration of an image forming unit. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of a main part of a waste toner recovery path. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a motor. [Diagram 5] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of an electrical configuration of the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment. [Figure 6] 2 is a block diagram showing an example of a functional configuration of the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment; FIG. [Figure 7]4 is a diagram illustrating an example of a relationship between a zero-cross timing, a CLK signal, and a DIR signal according to the embodiment. FIG. [Figure 8] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of an interphase voltage waveform during a zero cross timing. [Figure 9] 4 is a graph showing an example of a relationship between a load torque of a motor and a phase-to-phase voltage. [Figure 10] 10 is a flowchart showing an example of a process flow of a toner clogging detection program according to the embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0027] Hereinafter, an example of a mode for implementing the technology of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Note that components and processes that perform the same operation, action, and function may be given the same reference numerals throughout all the drawings, and duplicated descriptions may be omitted as appropriate. Each drawing is merely shown in a schematic manner to allow a sufficient understanding of the technology of the present disclosure. Therefore, the technology of the present disclosure is not limited to only the illustrated examples. In addition, in this embodiment, descriptions of configurations that are not directly related to the technology of the present disclosure or well-known configurations may be omitted.

[0028] 1 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of an image forming apparatus 10 according to this embodiment. The image forming apparatus 10 is provided with a paper storage unit 12, a main operation unit 14, and a document reading unit 16, arranged from bottom to top in the vertical direction (Y direction). The main operation unit 14 is provided with a control device 20 that controls the operation of each unit of the image forming apparatus 10.

[0029] When viewing image forming apparatus 10 from the front on the side where a user (not shown) is standing, the X direction corresponds to the right direction, the -X direction corresponds to the left direction, the Y direction corresponds to the upward direction, the -Y direction corresponds to the downward direction, the Z direction corresponds to the depth direction, and the -Z direction corresponds to the forward direction.

[0030] The paper storage section 12 has a first storage section 22, a second storage section 24, a third storage section 26, and a fourth storage section 28 capable of storing recording paper P as an example of recording media of different sizes. The first storage section 22, the second storage section 24, the third storage section 26, and the fourth storage section 28 are provided with a feed roll 32 that feeds out the stored recording paper P one sheet at a time, and a transport roll 34 that transports the fed recording paper P to a transport path 30 provided in the image forming device 10.

[0031] Further, downstream of the transport roll 34 in the transport path 30, a plurality of transport rolls 36 that transport the recording paper P one sheet at a time are provided. Further, downstream of the transport roll 36 in the transport direction of the recording paper P in the transport path 30 within the main operation unit 14, there are provided alignment rolls 38 that temporarily stop the recording paper P and send it out to a secondary transfer position (described later) at a determined timing to align the image transfer.

[0032] The upstream portion of the transport path 30 is provided in a straight line in the direction of the arrow Y from the -X side of the paper storage unit 12 to the -X side lower portion of the main operation unit 14 when viewed from the front of the image forming apparatus 10. The downstream portion of the transport path 30 is provided from the -X side lower portion of the main operation unit 14 to the paper discharge unit 13 provided on the X side of the main operation unit 14. A double-sided transport path 31 is connected to the transport path 30, along which the recording paper P is transported and inverted in order to form images on both sides of the recording paper P. The transport direction of the recording paper P when double-sided transport is not performed is indicated by the arrow A.

[0033] The double-sided conveying path 31 has, in a front view of the image forming apparatus 10, a reversing section 33 that is provided linearly in the direction of the arrow Y from the lower part on the X-direction side of the main operation section 14 to the X-direction side of the paper storage section 12, and a conveying section 35 that conveys the recording paper P to the -X-direction side (indicated by arrow B) in the drawing. A downstream end of the conveying section 35 is connected by a guide member (not shown) to the upstream side of the alignment rolls 38 of the conveying path 30.

[0034] The conveying section 35 conveys the recording paper P in the -X direction (indicated by arrow B) as the rear end of the recording paper P conveyed to the reversing section 33 enters it. In Fig. 1, the reversing section 33 and the conveying section 35 have a plurality of conveying rolls provided at intervals, but these are not shown. Also not shown are a switching member that switches between the conveying path 30 and the double-sided conveying path 31, and a reverse conveying prevention member that prevents the recording paper P from being conveyed in the reverse direction from the reversing section 33 to the conveying path 30.

[0035] Furthermore, a waste toner collection container 100 is detachably mounted between the second storage section 24 and the reversing section 33 in the paper storage section 12. The direction in which the waste toner collection container 100 is mounted to the device body 11 is the Z direction, and the direction in which it is removed from the device body 11 is the -Z direction. The location where the waste toner collection container 100 is mounted is not particularly limited.

[0036] The document reading unit 16 includes a document placing table 41 on which multiple documents (not shown) can be placed, a platen glass 42 on which one document can be placed, a document reading device 44 that reads the document on the platen glass 42, and a document discharge unit 43 to which the read document is discharged.

[0037] The document reading device 44 includes a light irradiation unit 46, one full-rate mirror 48, two half-rate mirrors 52, an imaging lens 54, and a photoelectric conversion element 56. The light irradiation unit 46 irradiates light onto a document placed on the platen glass 42. The full-rate mirror 48 and the half-rate mirror 52 reflect the light irradiated by the light irradiation unit 46 and reflected from the document in a direction parallel to the platen glass 42, and return it.

[0038] The imaging lens 54 is disposed so that the reflected light folded back by the full rate mirror 48 and the half rate mirror 52 is incident on it. The photoelectric conversion element 56 converts the reflected light imaged by the imaging lens 54 into an electric signal. The electric signal converted by the photoelectric conversion element 56 is subjected to image processing in an image processing device (not shown) and used for image formation. The full rate mirror 48 moves at the full rate along the platen glass 42, and the half rate mirror 52 moves at the half rate along the platen glass 42. The imaging lens 54 and the photoelectric conversion element 56 are fixed.

[0039] The main operating unit 14 is provided within the device main body 11 consisting of multiple frames, and includes an image forming unit 60 that forms a toner image (developer image) on recording paper P, and a fixing device 90 that fixes the toner image formed on the recording paper P by the image forming unit 60.

[0040] The image forming section 60 includes image forming units 64Y, 64M, 64C, and 64K provided corresponding to the toners of yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (K), exposure units 66Y, 66M, 66C, and 66K, and a transfer unit 80. The image forming units 64Y, 64M, 64C, and 64K have photoconductors 62Y, 62M, 62C, and 62K. In the following description, when it is necessary to distinguish between Y, M, C, and K, the letters Y, M, C, and K are added after the numbers, and when it is not necessary to distinguish between Y, M, C, and K in the same configuration, the descriptions of Y, M, C, and K are omitted.

[0041] The exposure unit 66 is configured to scan a light beam emitted from a light source (not shown) with a rotating polygon mirror (no reference number) and reflect the light beam with a plurality of optical components (not shown) including a reflecting mirror, and emit a light beam L corresponding to each toner toward the photoconductor 62. The photoconductor 62 is provided below the exposure unit 66 (on the -Y direction side).

[0042] 2 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of the image forming unit 64. As shown in FIG. 2, the image forming unit 64 includes a photoconductor 62, a charger 72, a developer 74, and a first cleaning unit 76, which are arranged in this order from the upstream side to the downstream side in the rotation direction facing the outer circumferential surface of the photoconductor 62. The charger 72 and the developer 74 are arranged such that a light beam L is irradiated to a position between the charger 72 and the developer 74 on the outer circumferential surface of the photoconductor 62. An intermediate transfer belt 82 is in contact with a position between the developer 74 and the first cleaning unit 76 on the outer circumferential surface of the photoconductor 62.

[0043] The photoconductor 62 is composed of a cylindrical base material (not shown) made of aluminum or the like, which is conductive and grounded, and a surface layer (not shown) including a charge generating layer, a charge transport layer, and a protective layer which are laminated in the radial direction on the outer circumferential surface of the base material. The photoconductor 62 is rotatable in the direction of the arrow +R (clockwise direction in the figure) by the drive of a motor (not shown).

[0044] As an example, the charger 72 is configured with a corotron-type charging means that applies a voltage to a wire to charge the outer peripheral surface of the photoconductor 62 to the same polarity as the toner by corona discharge. Here, a latent image (electrostatic latent image) is formed by irradiating the charged outer peripheral surface of the photoconductor 62 with a light beam L based on image data.

[0045] The developing device 74 contains developer G, which is a mixture of carrier particles made of a magnetic material and toner T, and is provided with a cylindrical developing sleeve 74A with a magnet roll (not shown) having a plurality of magnetic poles in the circumferential direction provided inside. The developing device 74 forms a magnetic brush at a portion facing the photoconductor 62 as the developing sleeve 74A rotates. The developing device 74 makes the latent image on the outer circumferential surface of the photoconductor 62 visible with toner by applying a developing bias to the developing sleeve 74A by a voltage application means (not shown), thereby forming a toner image (developer image).

[0046] Incidentally, toner T is supplied to each developing device 74 from each toner cartridge 79 (see FIG. 1) provided above the image forming unit 60. Moreover, when a consumption period based on the number of images formed or the like has elapsed, the developer G in each developing device 74 is collected in a waste toner collection container 100 (see FIG. 1) via a waste toner collection path 99 (see FIG. 1) described later.

[0047] The first cleaning unit 76 is disposed with its tip facing the rotation direction of the photoconductor 62 and has a cleaning blade 76A that comes into contact with the outer circumferential surface of the photoconductor 62. The first cleaning unit 76 scrapes off and collects (collects) residual toner (hereinafter referred to as "waste toner") remaining on the outer circumferential surface of the photoconductor 62 with the cleaning blade 76A. An intermediate transfer belt 82 onto which the toner image developed by the developing device 74 is primarily transferred is provided downstream of the developing device 74 in the rotation direction of the photoconductor 62.

[0048] As shown in FIG. 1, the transfer unit 80 includes an intermediate transfer belt 82, a primary transfer roll 84, a secondary transfer roll 86, and an auxiliary roll 88.

[0049] The intermediate transfer belt 82 is, for example, a film-like endless belt made of a resin made of polyimide or polyamide containing carbon black (antistatic agent). A driving roll 83, which is disposed near the image forming unit 64Y and the primary transfer roll 84Y and is driven to rotate by a motor (not shown), and a plurality of rotatably provided transport rolls 85 are disposed inside the intermediate transfer belt 82. The intermediate transfer belt 82 is wound around the driving roll 83, the plurality of transport rolls 85, and the auxiliary roll 88. As a result, when the driving roll 83 rotates counterclockwise as shown in the figure, the intermediate transfer belt 82 moves in a direction indicated by an arrow C (counterclockwise as shown in the figure).

[0050] The primary transfer roll 84, for example, is configured with a sponge layer (not shown) formed around a cylindrical shaft made of a metal such as stainless steel, and both ends of the shaft are supported by bearings to enable rotation. The primary transfer roll 84 is configured so that a voltage of the opposite polarity to the toner polarity is applied to the shaft from a power source (not shown), and the toner image is primarily transferred from the photoconductor 62 onto the intermediate transfer belt 82.

[0051] The secondary transfer roll 86, for example, has the same configuration as the primary transfer roll 84, and is rotatably disposed downstream of the alignment roll 38 in the transport path 30. The secondary transfer roll 86 is in contact with the outer circumferential surface of the intermediate transfer belt 82 so as to sandwich the intermediate transfer belt 82 with the auxiliary roll 88. The secondary transfer roll 86 is grounded, and secondarily transfers the toner images superimposed in sequence on the intermediate transfer belt 82 onto the recording paper P due to the potential difference with the auxiliary roll 88 described below.

[0052] The auxiliary roll 88 forms an opposing electrode to the secondary transfer roll 86, and a secondary transfer voltage is applied to it via a metallic power supply roll (not shown) arranged in contact with the outer circumferential surface of the auxiliary roll 88. When a secondary transfer voltage is applied to the auxiliary roll 88, a potential difference is generated between the auxiliary roll 88 and the secondary transfer roll 86. As a result, the toner image on the intermediate transfer belt 82 is secondarily transferred onto the recording paper P that is transported to the contact portion between the secondary transfer roll 86 and the intermediate transfer belt 82.

[0053] Further, a second cleaning unit 95 is provided at a position facing the outer circumferential surface of the intermediate transfer belt 82 near the driving roll 83 to remove and collect residual toner and paper powder remaining on the intermediate transfer belt 82 after the secondary transfer.

[0054] The second cleaning unit 95 has a cleaning blade 95A, one end of which is fixed to the housing and the other end (free end) of which contacts the intermediate transfer belt 82. Here, one upper end of a waste toner recovery path 99 that transports the waste toner scraped off by the cleaning blade 95A downstream is connected to the second cleaning unit 95. A waste toner recovery container 100 is connected to the lower end of the waste toner recovery path 99. As a result, the waste toner collected in the second cleaning unit 95 is transported to the waste toner recovery container 100.

[0055] Further, the other upper end of a waste toner recovery path 99 that transports the waste toner downstream is connected to the first cleaning unit 76. As a result, the waste toner accumulated in the first cleaning unit 76 is transported through the waste toner recovery path 99 to a waste toner recovery container 100.

[0056] As an example, a light-reflecting seal member (not shown) is fixed to a reference position of a non-transfer area where a toner image is not transferred on the outer circumferential surface of the intermediate transfer belt 82. Also, a position sensor (not shown) is provided at a position that can face the seal member, which detects the reference position of the intermediate transfer belt 82 by irradiating the non-transfer area of ​​the intermediate transfer belt 82 with light and receiving the light reflected by the seal member. As a result, in the image forming unit 60, the image forming operation of each unit is performed based on a signal of the reference position obtained by the position sensor.

[0057] 1, a conveyor belt 96 is provided downstream of the secondary transfer roll 86 in the moving direction of the recording paper P, for conveying the recording paper P after the secondary transfer of the toner image to a fixing device 90 (described later). The conveyor belt 96 is provided so as to be rotatable so as to convey the recording paper P to the fixing device 90 by a driving means having a support roll 98A, a driving roll 98B, and a motor and gears (not shown).

[0058] As an example, the fixing device 90 has a heating roll 92 that is heated by a halogen lamp (not shown) that is a heat source, and a pressure roll 94 that is biased toward the heating roll 92 and pressurizes the recording paper P together with the heating roll 92. The fixing device 90 fixes the toner image to the recording paper P by the action of heat and pressure when the recording paper P on which the secondary transfer has been completed enters between the heating roll 92 and the pressure roll 94.

[0059] Fig. 3 is a diagram showing an example of a main configuration of the waste toner recovery path 99. As shown in Fig. 3, a transport member 99A that rotates to transport the waste toner to the waste toner recovery container 100 is provided inside the waste toner recovery path 99. The transport member 99A is, for example, a screw member. The transport member 99A has a drive shaft 99B, and a motor 300 is connected to the drive shaft 99B via gears 301 and 302. The motor 300 drives the transport member 99A, and is controlled by the control device 20. For example, a stepping motor is used as the motor 300.

[0060] Fig. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a motor 300. The motor 300 shown in Fig. 4 is, as an example, a stepping motor. A stepping motor is a motor that does not rotate the motor shaft continuously, but rotates the motor shaft intermittently at a constant rotation angle. The rotation angle and rotation speed can be controlled by a pulse signal that is a repetition of turning the power on and off.

[0061] As shown in FIG. 4, the motor 300 is composed of a stator 300A wound with a winding and a rotor 300B containing a permanent magnet magnetized in the axial direction. By switching the excitation current of the phase winding of the stator 300A, the motor 300 rotates at a rotation angle and step angle specific to the motor 300. Here, a two-phase unipolar type stepping motor with a step angle of 1.8° is shown as an example, but is not limited to this type. The stator has eight magnetic poles 300C arranged at intervals of 45°, and each magnetic pole 300C has five teeth arranged at intervals of 7.2°. As an example, the motor 300 has a two-phase configuration of an A phase and a B phase. The A phase has an A phase and an A- phase (- is above A), and the B phase has a B phase and a B- phase (- is above B).

[0062] FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing an example of the electrical configuration of the image forming apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment.

[0063] 5, the image forming apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment includes a control device 20, a display unit 205, an operation unit 206, and a communication unit 207. The control device 20 includes a central processing unit (CPU) 201, a read only memory (ROM) 202, and a random access memory (RAM) 203. The control device 20 is connected to various functional units including the display unit 205, the operation unit 206, and the communication unit 207. These functional units are capable of communicating with the CPU 201.

[0064] A toner clogging detection program 202A according to the present embodiment is stored in the ROM 202. The toner clogging detection program 202A may be pre-installed in the image forming apparatus 10, for example. The toner clogging detection program 202A may be realized by storing it in a non-volatile storage medium or distributing it via a network and appropriately installing it in the image forming apparatus 10. Examples of the non-volatile storage medium include a CD-ROM (Compact Disc Read Only Memory), a magneto-optical disk, a HDD, a DVD-ROM (Digital Versatile Disc Read Only Memory), a flash memory, a memory card, and the like.

[0065] The display unit 205 may be, for example, a liquid crystal display (LCD) or an organic EL (Electro Luminescence) display. The display unit 205 may be integrally provided with a touch panel. The operation unit 206 is provided with various operation keys, such as a numeric keypad and a start key. The display unit 205 and the operation unit 206, as an operation panel, receive instructions from a user of the image forming apparatus 10 regarding various image processing functions and settings. These various instructions include, for example, an instruction to start reading an original, an instruction to start copying an original, an instruction to print print data held in the image forming apparatus 10, and the like. The display unit 205 displays various information such as the result of a process executed in response to an instruction received from a user, a notification regarding the process, and the like.

[0066] The communication unit 207 is a communication interface for connecting to a network such as the Internet, a LAN (Local Area Network), or a WAN (Wide Area Network), and is capable of communicating with the server device 350 via the network. The server device 350 is connected to a terminal device (including a mobile terminal) used by a maintenance service technician, and has a function of notifying the maintenance service technician of various maintenance services to be performed on the image forming apparatus 10.

[0067] Here, for example, a technique for detecting toner clogging by monitoring the drive current of a DC motor used as a drive source may be able to detect the occurrence of toner clogging, but cannot detect the signs of toner clogging.

[0068] For this reason, the image forming apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment obtains a phase-to-phase voltage, which is a voltage between at least one of the same phases of the motor 300, and detects a sign of toner clogging in the waste toner collection path 99 based on a change in the phase-to-phase voltage. Note that the phase-to-phase voltage according to the present embodiment represents, for example, the voltage of phase A / phase A- and phase B / phase B-, and does not include the phase-to-phase voltage of phase A / phase B. The phase-to-phase voltage does not fluctuate when the load torque is normal, that is, when no toner clogging occurs, but fluctuates when there is some abnormality in the load torque, that is, when there is a sign of toner clogging. For this reason, by using the phase-to-phase voltage, it is possible to accurately detect a sign of the load torque due to toner clogging.

[0069] Specifically, the CPU 201 of the image forming apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment writes the toner clogging detection program 202A stored in the ROM 202 into the RAM 203 and executes it to function as each unit shown in Fig. 6. The CPU 201 is an example of a processor.

[0070] FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing an example of a functional configuration of the image forming apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment.

[0071] 6, the CPU 201 of the image forming apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment functions as an input / output unit 201A, a phase-to-phase voltage acquisition unit 201B, a sign detection unit 201C, and an alert unit 201D. The image forming apparatus 10 also includes a motor driver 310, an analog circuit 311, and an ADC (analog-digital controller) 312.

[0072] The motor driver 310 is connected to the input / output unit 201A and also to the motor 300. The motor driver 310 receives input of each pulse signal, an ENABLE signal, a CLK signal, a Duty signal, and a DIR signal, from the input / output unit 201A. The motor driver 310 applies a drive voltage to the motor 300 in response to each of the received pulse signals, and controls the drive of the motor 300.

[0073] The analog circuit 311 is connected to a control line connecting the motor 300 and the motor driver 310, and acquires an analog signal of at least one inter-phase voltage of the motor 300 between the A phase / A-phase and the B phase / B-phase.

[0074] The ADC 312 is connected to the phase-to-phase voltage acquisition unit 201B and is also connected to the analog circuit 311. The ADC 312 converts the analog signal of the phase-to-phase voltage acquired from the analog circuit 311 into a digital signal, and outputs the converted digital signal of the phase-to-phase voltage.

[0075] The phase-to-phase voltage acquisition unit 201B acquires a digital signal of the phase-to-phase voltage from the ADC 312. Specifically, the phase-to-phase voltage acquisition unit 201B acquires a digital signal of the phase-to-phase voltage, for example, at a zero-cross timing. The zero-cross timing is the timing at which the current between the same phases becomes 0 when the motor 300 is driven. Note that "current=0" means that the current is 0 including a predetermined error.

[0076] 7 is a diagram showing an example of the relationship between the zero cross timing, the CLK signal, and the DIR signal according to the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 7, as an example, the zero cross timing occurs when the count is "1".

[0077] The precursor detection unit 201C determines that a toner clogging has occurred when the inter-phase voltage acquired at the zero cross timing is equal to or less than a first threshold, determines that a toner clogging has occurred when the inter-phase voltage is greater than the first threshold and equal to or less than a second threshold, and determines that a steady state has occurred when the inter-phase voltage is greater than the second threshold and equal to or less than a third threshold. The first to third thresholds are stored in the ROM 202 in advance. Appropriate values ​​are set for the first to third thresholds according to the specifications of the motor 300.

[0078] Fig. 8 is a diagram showing an example of a phase-to-phase voltage waveform during a zero crossing timing. Waveform W1 shown in Fig. 8 shows the waveform of the phase-to-phase voltage between A phase / A-phase during a zero crossing timing. When no phase-to-phase voltage is generated, the voltage is 0V, but when a phase-to-phase voltage is generated, the voltage is about 10V. The phase-to-phase voltage fluctuates depending on the load.

[0079] Fig. 9 is a graph showing an example of the relationship between the load torque and the phase-to-phase voltage of motor 300. In Fig. 9, the vertical axis represents the phase-to-phase voltage [V], and the horizontal axis represents the load torque [g cm]. The numerical values ​​in Fig. 9 are merely an example, and differ depending on the specifications of motor 300, so the values ​​are not limited to these values.

[0080] As described above, the phase-to-phase voltage varies depending on the load, that is, as shown in Fig. 9, there is a relationship in which the phase-to-phase voltage decreases as the load torque increases due to toner clogging. The phase-to-phase voltage of motor 300 is obtained using the relationship shown in Fig. 9 to determine the presence of a toner clogging precursor.

[0081] Here, the criteria for determining the interphase voltage include, for example, four stages: a steady state, a minor clogging state, a warning state, and a toner clogging state. The steady state is, for example, in the range of 1.3V to 24V. 24V is an example of a third threshold. The minor clogging state and the warning state are examples of a toner clogging precursor state. The minor clogging state is, for example, in the range of 0.87V to 1.29V. 1.29V is an example of a second threshold. The warning state is, for example, in the range of 0.67V to 0.86V. In this example, the toner clogging precursor state is distinguished into two states, but, for example, 0.67V to 1.29V may be the toner clogging precursor state. The toner clogging generation state is, for example, in the range of 0V to 0.66V. 0.66V is an example of a first threshold.

[0082] Here, the sign detection unit 201C may determine that a toner clogging precursor state occurs when the inter-phase voltage repeatedly acquired at the zero cross timing is within a predetermined range for a predetermined number of consecutive times. Specifically, when the inter-phase voltage is 0.67V or more and 1.29V or less for N consecutive times (N is an integer of, for example, 2 to 10), the sign detection unit 201C may determine that a toner clogging precursor state occurs.

[0083] The alert unit 201D performs control so as to stop the device when it is determined that a toner clogging has occurred, that is, that a toner clogging state has occurred. Furthermore, the alert unit 201D performs notification that there is a toner clogging precursor, that is, that a toner clogging precursor state has occurred. The alert unit 201D may display a notification that there is a toner clogging precursor on a screen of the device, for example, on the display unit 205. This notification preferably includes a message that prompts the maintenance service person to contact. Furthermore, the alert unit 201D may transmit a notification that there is a toner clogging precursor to an external server device 350 via the communication unit 207. In this case, the server device 350 transmits a message that prompts the maintenance service person to take action.

[0084] By notifying the user or a maintenance service person that the image forming apparatus 10 is in a toner clogging precursor state, the downtime of the apparatus can be shortened. At this time, the degree of toner clogging may be estimated from the phase-to-phase voltage and displayed in real time (for example, in %).

[0085] Although the above describes the case where the phase-to-phase voltage of A phase / A- phase is acquired, the phase-to-phase voltage of B phase / B- phase may also be acquired. By acquiring the phase-to-phase voltages for two phases, the period for monitoring the phase-to-phase voltage for each phase can be doubled.

[0086] Next, the operation of the image forming apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

[0087] FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing an example of the process flow of the toner clogging detection program 202A according to the present embodiment.

[0088] First, the toner clogging detection program 202A is started by the CPU 201 of the image forming apparatus 10, and the following steps are executed.

[0089] In step S101 of FIG. 10, the CPU 201 controls the motor 300 to rotate at a steady state, and starts monitoring the inter-phase voltage (for example, the voltage between the A-phase and the A-phase).

[0090] In step S102, the CPU 201 determines whether or not it is zero-cross timing of the motor 300. If it is determined that it is zero-cross timing (if the determination is positive), the process proceeds to step S103, and if it is determined that it is not zero-cross timing (if the determination is negative), the process returns to step S101 and repeats the process.

[0091] In step S103, the CPU 201 controls the ADC 312 to convert the analog signal of the inter-phase voltage at the zero cross timing into a digital signal.

[0092] In step S104, the CPU 201 acquires, from the ADC 312, a digital signal of the inter-phase voltage at the zero cross timing.

[0093] In step S105, the CPU 201 determines whether the phase-to-phase voltage acquired in step S104 is equal to or less than a first threshold TH1 (for example, 0.66 V). If it is determined that the phase-to-phase voltage is equal to or less than the first threshold TH1 (if the determination is positive), the process proceeds to step S106, and if it is determined that the phase-to-phase voltage is greater than the first threshold TH1 (if the determination is negative), the process proceeds to step S108.

[0094] In step S106, the CPU 201 determines that a toner blockage has occurred in the waste toner recovery path 99. Note that it may also be determined that a toner blockage has occurred when the inter-phase voltage is equal to or lower than the first threshold value TH1 multiple times in succession.

[0095] In step S107, CPU 201 performs control to stop the own device, and ends the series of processes according to toner jam detection program 202A.

[0096] On the other hand, in step S108, the CPU 201 determines whether the phase-to-phase voltage acquired in step S104 is greater than the first threshold TH1 and equal to or less than the second threshold TH2 (e.g., 1.29 V). If it is determined that the phase-to-phase voltage is greater than the first threshold TH1 and equal to or less than the second threshold TH2 (if the determination is positive), the process proceeds to step S109, and if it is determined that the phase-to-phase voltage is greater than the second threshold TH2 (if the determination is negative), the process proceeds to step S111.

[0097] In step S109, the CPU 201 determines that there is a sign of toner clogging in the waste toner collection path 99. Note that it may be determined that there is a sign of toner clogging when the interphase voltage is greater than the first threshold value TH1 and equal to or smaller than the second threshold value TH2 multiple times in succession.

[0098] In step S110, CPU 201 issues a notification that there is a sign of toner clogging in waste toner recovery path 99, and returns to step S101 to repeat the process. As described above, the notification may be, for example, a message displayed on the screen of display unit 205 to prompt the maintenance service person to contact the maintenance service person. Alternatively, the notification may be sent to server device 350, which may prompt the maintenance service person to take action.

[0099] On the other hand, in step S111, the CPU 201 determines whether the phase-to-phase voltage acquired in step S104 is greater than the second threshold TH2 and equal to or less than a third threshold TH3 (e.g., 24 V). If it is determined that the phase-to-phase voltage is greater than the second threshold TH2 and equal to or less than the third threshold TH3 (if the determination is positive), the process proceeds to step S112, and if it is determined that the phase-to-phase voltage is greater than the third threshold TH3 (if the determination is negative), the process proceeds to step S113.

[0100] In step S112, CPU 201 determines that there is no toner clogging in waste toner recovery path 99 and that the state is steady, and returns to step S101 to repeat the process.

[0101] On the other hand, in step S113, the CPU 201 displays a warning because the inter-phase voltage is too high, and returns to step S101 to repeat the process.

[0102] In this manner, according to the present embodiment, it is possible to detect the signs of toner clogging in the waste toner recovery passage without using an additional sensor, etc. It is also possible to suppress contamination of the inside of the device by waste toner and to shorten the downtime of the device.

[0103] In each of the above embodiments, the term "processor" refers to a processor in a broad sense, including general-purpose processors (e.g., CPU: Central Processing Unit, etc.) and dedicated processors (e.g., GPU: Graphics processing Unit, ASIC: Application Specific Integrated Circuit, FPGA: Field Programmable Gate Array, programmable logic device, etc.).

[0104] In addition, the operations of the processor in each of the above embodiments may be performed not only by one processor, but also by multiple processors located at physically separate locations working together. The order of the operations of the processor is not limited to the order described in each of the above embodiments, and may be changed as appropriate.

[0105] The image forming apparatus according to the embodiment has been described above as an example. The embodiment may be in the form of a program for causing a computer to execute the functions of each unit of the image forming apparatus. The embodiment may be in the form of a non-transitory storage medium that stores the program and is readable by a computer.

[0106] Furthermore, the configuration of the image forming apparatus described in the above embodiment is merely an example, and may be changed according to circumstances without departing from the spirit of the invention.

[0107] Furthermore, the processing flow of the program described in the above embodiment is also one example, and unnecessary steps may be deleted, new steps may be added, or the processing order may be rearranged, without departing from the spirit of the invention.

[0108] In the above embodiment, the processing according to the embodiment is realized by a software configuration using a computer by executing a program, but the present invention is not limited to this. The embodiment may be realized by, for example, a hardware configuration or a combination of a hardware configuration and a software configuration.

[0109] The following supplementary notes are further disclosed regarding the above embodiment.

[0110] (Additional Note) (((1))) a waste toner collection path for collecting waste toner; a motor for driving a conveying member provided in the waste toner recovery passage; A processor; Equipped with The processor, obtaining a phase-to-phase voltage, which is a voltage between at least one common phase of the motor; detecting a sign of toner clogging in the waste toner collection passage based on a variation in the interphase voltage; Image forming device. (((2))) The processor acquires the inter-phase voltages at zero crossing timings when currents between the same phases become zero during driving of the motor. The image forming apparatus according to (((1))). (((3))) the processor determines that the inter-phase voltage, which is repeatedly acquired at the zero cross timing, is within a predetermined range for a predetermined number of consecutive times, as a sign of toner clogging; The image forming apparatus according to (((2))). (((4))) the processor determines that a toner clogging has occurred when the inter-phase voltage acquired at the zero cross timing is equal to or less than a first threshold value, determines that a toner clogging has occurred when the inter-phase voltage is greater than the first threshold value and equal to or less than a second threshold value, and determines that a steady state has occurred when the inter-phase voltage is greater than the second threshold value and equal to or less than a third threshold value. The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the image forming apparatus is a (((5))) The processor stops the device when it determines that a toner jam has occurred. The image forming apparatus according to (((4))). (((6))) When the processor determines that there is a sign of toner clogging, the processor notifies the user that there is a sign of toner clogging. The image forming apparatus according to (((4))). (((7))) The processor displays the notification on a screen of the device; The notification includes a message prompting the maintenance service person to contact the The image forming apparatus according to (((6))). (((8))) The processor transmits the notification to an external server device; the server device transmits a message to a maintenance service person to prompt the person in charge of maintenance service to take action; The image forming apparatus according to (((6))). (((9))) The motor is a stepping motor. The image forming apparatus according to any one of (((1))) to (((8))). (((10))) a waste toner collection path for collecting waste toner; a motor for driving a conveying member provided in the waste toner recovery passage; A toner clogging detection program for an image forming apparatus comprising: obtaining a phase-to-phase voltage, which is a voltage between at least one common phase of the motor; detecting a sign of toner clogging in the waste toner recovery passage based on a change in the interphase voltage; A toner jam detection program to be executed by a computer.

[0111] According to (((1))) and (((10))), it is possible to detect a precursor of toner clogging in the waste toner recovery passage. According to (((2))), it is possible to obtain the phase-to-phase voltage with higher accuracy than when the phase-to-phase voltage is obtained at a timing other than the zero crossing timing. According to (((3))), there is an advantage that the presence or absence of a toner clogging symptom can be determined more accurately than when the interphase voltage is determined only once. According to (((4))), it is possible to more accurately determine the presence or absence of a toner clogging condition, as compared with the case where a determination is made using only one threshold value. According to (((5))), there is an effect that it is possible to prevent malfunctions that may occur due to the occurrence of toner clogging. According to (((6))), it is possible to provide an indication of a possible toner clogging. According to (((7))), it is possible to notify the user of the device of the signs of a toner clogging and to encourage the user to contact a maintenance service person. According to (((8))), it is possible to notify a maintenance service person via the server device of a warning sign of a toner clogging and to urge the person to take action. (((9))) According to the ninth aspect, when the motor that drives the conveying member is a stepping motor, it is possible to detect a sign of toner clogging in the waste toner recovery path. [Explanation of symbols]

[0112] 10 Image forming device 20 Control device 99 Waste toner collection route 99A Transporting parts 99B Drive shaft 100 Waste toner collection container 201 CPU 201A Input / output section 201B Phase-to-phase voltage acquisition section 201C Precursor detection unit 201D Alert Department 202 ROM 202A Toner jam detection program 203 RAM 205 Display section 206 Operation section 207 Communications Department 300 Motor 310 Motor Driver 311 Analog Circuits 312 ADC 350 Server equipment

Claims

1. a waste toner collection path for collecting waste toner; a motor for driving a conveying member provided in the waste toner recovery passage; A processor; Equipped with The processor, obtaining a phase-to-phase voltage, which is a voltage between at least one common phase of the motor; detecting a sign of toner clogging in the waste toner collection passage based on a variation in the interphase voltage; Image forming device.

2. The processor acquires the inter-phase voltage at a zero cross timing, which is a timing at which a current between the same phases becomes zero when the motor is driven. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1 .

3. the processor determines that the inter-phase voltage, which is repeatedly acquired at the zero cross timing, is within a predetermined range for a predetermined number of consecutive times, as a precursor to toner clogging; The image forming apparatus according to claim 2 .

4. the processor determines that the toner clogging has occurred when the inter-phase voltage acquired at the zero cross timing is equal to or less than a first threshold value, determines that the toner clogging is a precursor to the toner clogging when the inter-phase voltage acquired at the zero cross timing is greater than the first threshold value and equal to or less than a second threshold value, and determines that the toner clogging is a steady state when the inter-phase voltage acquired at the zero cross timing is greater than the second threshold value and equal to or less than a third threshold value. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2 .

5. The processor stops the device when it determines that a toner jam has occurred. The image forming apparatus according to claim 4 .

6. When the processor determines that there is a sign of toner clogging, the processor notifies the user that there is a sign of toner clogging. The image forming apparatus according to claim 4 .

7. The processor displays the notification on a screen of the device; The notification includes a message prompting the maintenance service person to contact the The image forming apparatus according to claim 6.

8. The processor transmits the notification to an external server device; the server device transmits a message to a maintenance service person to prompt the person in charge of maintenance service to take action; The image forming apparatus according to claim 6.

9. The motor is a stepping motor. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1 .

10. a waste toner collection path for collecting waste toner; a motor for driving a conveying member provided in the waste toner recovery passage; A toner clogging detection program for an image forming apparatus comprising: obtaining a phase-to-phase voltage, which is a voltage between at least one common phase of the motor; detecting a sign of toner clogging in the waste toner recovery passage based on a change in the interphase voltage; A toner jam detection program to be executed by a computer.

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